Police investigating after man found dead in burning flat

A 45-YEAR-OLD man was found dead by fire fighters tackling a blaze at a second floor flat in Edinburgh.

Fire crews were called to the three-storey block of flats in Pilton Drive North at around 2.30am today (Sunday), where they made the grim discovery.

Police are treating the death as “suspicious” and believe there may have been a disturbance at the property before the fire broke out.

A woman living in a neighbouring flat was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh suffering from smoke inhalation.

Inquiries into the man’s death are at an early stage and detectives are appealing to any witnesses who were in the early in the early hours of the morning to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector David Gordon, who is leading the investigation, said: “We believe that there was a disturbance at the property before the fire broke out, and we want anyone who may have seen someone entering or leaving the property in the early hours to contact police.

“Similarly, anyone else who saw or heard anything suspicious, or who has any other information that can assist our inquiries, should also get in touch.

“At present a cordon is in place around the property, and we have officers carrying out extra patrols in the area in order to provide reassurance to local residents, and to speak to anyone who has concerns around the ongoing activity there.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.